Thousands more students are applying to attend California State University, Sacramento, than the same period a year ago.
University officials say nearly 3,000 more students applied for the fall of 2013 than for last fall.
Applications from transfer students were up by 16.4 percent from last fall – from 10,839 to 12,504 – by the Nov. 30 deadline for priority registration.
Applications from first-time freshmen were up 6 percent, increasing by 1,171 applications over last year. A total of 20,667 new freshmen applied for the fall 2013 semester.
But those numbers don't tell the whole story. Students – wary after semesters of restricted enrollment at schools – are applying to more campuses, said CSUS officials.
"Everyone is making sure they have their backup plan," said Emiliano Diaz, the university's director of admissions and outreach. He says figuring out how many students will actually show up can be a challenge.
Diaz estimates that out of the 32,000 people who applied to Sacramento State next fall, only 21,000 will be eligible to attend. "With Prop. 30 passing, we should be able to accommodate all who are eligible," he said.
Applications are up throughout the California State University system, say school officials. A total of 173,985 first-time freshman applications were received at the CSU system's 23 campuses, compared to 166,028 last year, according to CSU. Transfer applications rose to 108,726, from 92,806.
Diaz said the increase in applications at Sacramento State also can be attributed to an increase in communication between the university and the community.
"We have worked with our community college partners to ensure transfer students are clear about transfer requirements and the admissions process, and that they are especially well prepared," Diaz said.
He said Sacramento State officials have promoted the school's academic programs at high schools, through campus visits and events, and by email and phone.
Diaz said enrollment is finally starting to inch upward as well, after years of being held steady by budget constraints.
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